NEW VINEYARD — Invasive plants and insects are real threats to our natural resources. The first step in controlling invasives is knowing what they look like and where they might be found. On Thursday, May 31, starting at 8 a.m., Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Maine Forest Service will host a workshop on the identification and control of invasive upland plants and insects. UKV chapter of SWOAM is also promoting this event as a co-sponsor.

The morning will start off inside followed by lunch and then a walk in the woods. There is a $10 preregistration fee, $15 at the door. Send to Franklin County SWCD, 107 Park St., Farmington, ME 04938. Questions may be directed to Rosetta Thompson at 778-4279 or check the website at www.franklincswcd.org. This is a day long session. Bring your own lunch; coffee provided.

The session is at the Forster Ricardo Farm, 261 Miller Road. From Route 27 take a right onto Route 234 in New Vineyard (Anson Valley Road) towards Anson, go 2.2 miles and turn left onto the Miller Road, go 1.3 miles to the large grey farm on the right. Do not use your GPS or you will end up on a muddy dead end road.

Lorraine Taft, volunteer coordinator, Dept. of Agriculture of the Maine Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project, will take the lead for the hands-on invasive insect session and Tom Rawinski, U.S. Forest Service botanist and an entomology expert, will lead this hands-on invasive plants session.